General News
13 February, 2023
Atherton secures home semi
AFTER failing to make it into the finals last year, Atherton first grade has redeemed themselves and fully secured a place in the finals fight with a home semi-final after winning against Cassowary Coast at Loder Park on Saturday.
Cassowary Coast won the toss and put the home team in to bat in a match reduced to 30 overs due to a wet ground from the previous two days rain.
After the early loss of Dan Parnell, Chris Adams and in-form skipper Tom Boorman put together a 64-run partner-ship in good time.
This set the stage for Mason Blaney and Ben Vikionkorpi to hit out late in the innings and got Atherton to a very defendable total of 8/188 at the end of their innings.
Chris Adams top scored with 51 and Boorman added 35 at better than a run a ball.
The home side’s attack started well, controlling the run rate and picking up the odd wicket with the game looking to be over at the drinks break.
Rhys Camilleri had a red hot go at get-ting the visitors over the line with a fantastic knock of 85 from just 51 balls faced but he was fighting a lone battle.
Good early work from the Atherton seamers left the Cassowary Coast middle order with too much to do and they ended 19 runs short, giving Atherton the win and securing a home semi-final.
With Atherton’s first grade side knocking up a successful season, coach Shane Legge believes the early performances of Boorman and his continual good form set the tone for the entire season.
“Tommy’s hundred against Rovers early on was a major point for us because we stole that game when we shouldn’t have – it was undoubtably a match-winning performance,” Legge said.
“You lose that game and it’s a very different situation so that was certainly a pivotal point, they went on to beat Barron the next week and from there the belief started.
“I am very happy to say they have exceeded my expectations.”
With Mulgrave losing to ladder leaders Norths, the Atherton side have nailed down second place on the final Cricket Far North first grade points table.
Atherton will host Mulgrave this Saturday at Loder Park for the right to take on Norths in the CFN first grade grand final.
Despite last year’s premiers sitting below Atherton in third and Norths comfortably leading the ladder, Legge still believes Mulgrave to be the benchmark team this season.
“They haven’t had all their guns on board and when they’ve got everyone on the park they are a completely different side, they are not the third best in the comp and I still believe they are the benchmark,” he said.
“With the rep season all over and having their best players back you are going to see a different side.”
The team is calling upon local supporters to come along to the game, with home support being vital to help them forge on to the last game of the season.
